WRONG MESSAGE

I.

One week ago, an unknown number popped on my phone and it was Zach Nicholas who texted me.

Well, the message wasn't intended for me but for someone else.

Zach is my ultimate crush. The man of my dreams.

And the man that I secretly admire from afar.

Kaya no'ng nalaman kong siya 'yong nag-text sa akin, I seized that chance to be closer to him, kahit sa text man lang.

Gladly, he didn't snob me... well, not yet.

We both exchange text messages everyday and we even call during midnights and he has this husky voice that surely melts my heart from time to time.

He confessed to me last night that he's comfortable talking with me and he already have a feelings to me but I should be happy because finally, my crush is in love with me. But I just can't.

Because each day, the conscience was eating me slowly by slowly.

Why? Because I used my twin's identity.

Alam kong ang kambal ko ang mahal niya at hindi ako.

My twin and I are completely opposite from each other.

I have too much excessed fats while she has this banging body that men drooled over.

She has the beauty that men glorify, the fame. She's an epitome of perfection while I am nothing but a seamless crumpled trash.

She had everything that I don't have.

I always compare myself to her and I always ended up losing.

The only thing that I am proud of is my brain and intelligence which she lacked at.

We both have similarities in speaking voice.

After Zach asked for a meet up, I decided to use my twin since she has the looks.

In other words, sa tuwing gusto ni Zach na makipagkita sa akin, si Frayle ang nandoon.

At kapag nakikipagtext at call naman, ako 'yong kausap niya.

And as an exchange, ako ang nag-aasikaso sa mga projects and paper works ng kambal ko.

Limang araw na rin kaming nag-uusap ni Zach at limang araw na rin akong nagpapanggap na isa akong magandang babae.

Ginawa ko lang naman ang lahat ng 'to kasi natatakot akong 'di na ako papansinin ni Zach.

Ayoko munang malaman niya. I am still enjoying the moments with him even though it's only in messages.

Matapos ang Physics subject ko, I headed to the cafeteria to feed myself.

As I was walking, I could feel the intensity of everyone's stares while looking at me.

"She's too fat. I felt bad for her twin, nadudungisan ang image niya dahil sa kaniya. Pity!" bulong ng babaeng nakaponytail. At hindi ko alam kung bulong ba 'yon o parinig na.

I just ignored what she just said and swallowed her insults into nothingness but deep down, I was hurt.

It's just sad because I know myself a lot better yet I easily crumbled by the words and voices of others.

Well, this is how society works. People say kindness, confidence, and personality win over pretty face but this is bullshit. They are just good in sugar-coating and euphimising but deep inside, they judge someone based on the looks not minding of how good your heart is.

Pretty face will always win over personality. Period.

I stuffed my mouth with a cheeseburger when suddenly the group of Carley joined me. No, disturbed me.